Judge Dennis Powers, of the 52-1 District in Novi, listens to a case regarding Steven Horney of Walled Lake, who is accused of shooting up his neighbors' houses while intoxicated. (The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON)

A man accused of randomly firing shots into his neighbors' homes in Walled Lake while highly intoxicated waived his right to a preliminary exam in Novi court Wednesday.

He will now be headed to Oakland County Circuit Court for trial.

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It was a short proceeding for Steven Horney -- a 42-year-old former Navy scuba diver who was living with his mother at the time of the Jan. 10 morning shootings -- as he agreed to waive the exam.

After the proceeding, attorney Mitchell Ribitwer gave a glimpse into his defense strategy in Horney's case, saying that he believes his client was "temporarily insane" when the shootings occurred.

When the case goes to circuit court, "we'll probably be filing a motion for an independent psychiatric evaluation to determine criminal responsibility," said Ribitwer.

As five witnesses waited outside 52-1 District Court Judge Dennis N. Powers' courtroom, ready to testify, both legal sides in the case discussed whether Horney's bond should be continued or lowered. His bond was originally set at $1 million, with a $250,000 cash surety.

"It's my understanding that (Horney) has family in the area, and it's also my understanding that pretrial services requested a substantially lower bond," said defense attorney Mitch Ribitwer. "I suggest to you that a $1 million bond is not reasonable."

The original incident began when residents of Winwood Circle called authorities after hearing several shots fired. Horney allegedly barricaded himself and his mother inside their condominium. The Walled Lake man was also reported to be highly intoxicated. Several area law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, where officers called Horney and were able to talk him out of the residence within three hours.

In court, Assistant Prosecutor Jason Pernick argued that Horney has a prior conviction for aggravated stalking -- a case dating back to 1999 -- and that his bond, while high, is appropriate because he poses "a risk to the community."

Pernick disagreed with the defense, saying that "the defendant, from his residence, began blazing away at adjoining residences nearby ... with pistols and a rifle."

Pernick continued, noting some of the content of the original police reports.

"While a family -- a mother, father and young children -- were up and getting ready for school ... bullets fired by the defendant ... lodged in the headboard of master bedroom and in children's playroom," Pernick said.

Horney is charged with three counts of firing into a building, three counts of possession of a firearm in commission of a felony and two misdemeanors -- careless discharge of a firearm and possessing a firearm while intoxicated -- tied to the early 2013 shootings at his mother's home in the Winwood Place Condominiums near Maple Road and Pontiac Trail in Walled Lake.

The 42-year-old stood in the court's jury box -- where he occasionally stared at media and listened to the proceeding -- until Powers handed down a modified bond amount.

"The court is going to modify the bond ... to $500,000 cash, surety and no 10 percent," said Powers.

The judge also granted Pernick's request that Horney be fitted with a GPS tether if he posts bond, and noted that there are stipulations in the bond that if Horney does post bond, including restrictions on drinking alcohol and possessing a firearm.

The highest penalty Horney faces is six years in prison if convicted of possession of a firearm in commission of a felony. He will appear before Oakland County Circuit Judge Nanci Grant at a date to be determined later.